by Newark, DE — A boil water advisory remains in effect for residents of Newark and several surrounding Delaware towns after a large water main break impacted tens of thousands of customers, officials confirmed Sunday.
The advisory, issued on Saturday, October 25, affects Veolia Water customers in Newark, New Castle, Christiana, and Bear, according to the Delaware Municipal Water Division. While the damaged transmission line has been repaired, authorities say the advisory will stay active until lab tests verify the water is safe for use.
50,000 Customers Affected
Approximately 50,000 customers are currently under the boil water notice. The directive requires all residents in the affected areas to boil water for at least one minute before using it for:
- Drinking
- Cooking or preparing food
- Making ice
- Brushing teeth
- Washing dishes
Officials emphasized that boiling water kills bacteria and other potential contaminants that may have entered the system due to the pressure loss caused by the main break.
“This advisory is being issued out of an abundance of caution to protect public health,” Veolia said in a statement.
Read Also: Southern California Heat Advisory Issued as Inland Temperatures Near 95°
Repairs Completed, Testing Underway
While crews successfully repaired the large transmission main on Sunday, testing is now the final step before the advisory can be lifted. Water samples have been sent to an independent laboratory for analysis, a process that typically takes between 24 to 48 hours.
Officials noted that water pressure should gradually return to normal throughout the affected areas. However, if residents continue to experience low pressure beyond Monday, October 28, they are urged to contact Veolia customer service at 800-668-0856.
What Residents Should Know
Authorities are urging residents to continue following the advisory until further notice. Once the results confirm that the water meets safety standards, Veolia will notify customers through local media, official social media pages, and direct alerts.
In the meantime, residents are encouraged to:
- Keep boiled or bottled water on hand for all essential uses.
- Avoid using unboiled tap water for infant formula or food preparation.
- Allow faucets to run briefly before use once the advisory is lifted to clear out any standing water.
Have you or your neighborhood been affected by the Newark boil water advisory? Share your experience and how you’re coping during the outage in the comments on race-day-live.com.
